which he is bound to discharge. He is one set apart through Christ Jesus, and dedicated, as the sons of Levi were of old, that "whatever he does, he should do all to the glory of God." 6

LECTURE XXIX.

THE HIGH CALLING OF CHRISTIANS.

PETER ii. 7-10.

7. Unto you, therefore, which believe, he is precious : but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the

corner.

8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed.

The apostle here carries on his allusion to the prophecy which described Jesus as a stone, a chief corner-stone, to be laid in Zion for the security of his people. That prophecy, he says, is accomplished. The stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. Him whom the Jews rejected, "has God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour." But the same rock which is a sure support to them who rest upon it, may also prove fatal to those who fall or rush against it. And 61 Cor. xii. 31. 1 Ps. cxviii. 22. Acts iv. 11.

so the same Jesus, who is precious unto all that believe, is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to them that stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. For he who has ordained that all who come to him through Christ Jesus shall attain salvation, has also " appointed unto wrath" the disobedient, who will not be persuaded to accept the offer of his mercy. As the Lord himself said, "They that fall against this stone shall be broken :" they, that is, who stumble and take cause of offence at the word, which, while it assures them of God's mercy, assures them likewise that the gate of mercy is narrow, and that Christ is the only door through which there is access to the kingdom of heaven. There are still too many such. Whilst, again, there are others who in their feelings explain and justify the apostle's expression; Unto you that believe he is precious. It is He, they say, who came "as a light into the world :" and but for him, we should have remained for ever in darkness. It is He, they say, who taught us the value of the soul; and made us understand that "one thing is needful." Perhaps, though de

dicated to him in baptism, though instructed in the way of godliness, they have been some time. led astray into the paths of sin and Satan. Then how precious to them is He who has reclaimed their wandering souls, and snatched them from the gulf of perdition! It is He, they say, who is our "advocate with the Father," corrupt and unworthy as we were; and his "blood cleanseth from all sin." It is He who enables us to 66 overcome the

Matt. xxi. 44.

world," and is treading down Satan under our feet it is He who is creating us anew after the image of God gives a humble disposition, instead of a proud and haughty spirit: a charitable tenderness, instead of unfeeling coldness: a desire after holiness, instead of a love of earthly things. In short, He is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," who came down from the bosom of the Father, that he "might give his life a ransom for many :' a ransom for us, for ourselves. It is this personal sense of salvation through Christ, which makes him precious to them that believe.

They who thus receive the Lord Jesus, and so answer the purpose of God who sent him, are raised to a dignity which exalts them above their fellow

men.

9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

That which Hosea had foretold had come to pass. God had said by the mouth of that prophet, (xi. 23,) "I will have mercy upon him that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them that were not my people, Thou art my people: and they shall say, Thou art my God." This was now explained and fulfilled. Nations who had obtained no share in God's mercy had now obtained it, and his invita

tion had been issued to them that "were afar off, and to them that were nigh." To the Gentiles who were afar off the word had gone, commanding all men everywhere to "repent and believe the Gospel" and to the Jews who were nigh a light had sprung up, showing that they had been lying in darkness, though priding themselves as the people of God. And now forming one body through the adoption that is in Christ Jesus, they were honoured by the highest titles. They were a chosen generation: selected from the mass of mankind as a favoured race. They were a royal priesthood: established to praise, and worship, and serve the King of heaven. They were a holy nation: sanctified by the Spirit of Christ, and instructed by his word they were a peculiar people: God's own people; not only his by creation, as the Father of all mankind, but his by covenant, as purchased by the blood of his dear Son. This the Jews were first designed to be and this they proved, as far as they were faithful, from the time when God set them apart from other nations, to maintain in the world the knowledge and service of the Creator. He had said to them, when he brought them out of Egypt, (Ex. xix. 5,) "Now if you will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is mine; and you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." What the Jews had been, during the time of ignorance when darkness covered the earth, that Christians were now to be, since the light of the Gospel had risen in the world. To this end were they chosen, that they should show forth

the praises of him who had called them out of darkness into his marvellous light.

my

And there is much in the phrases introduced here by St. Peter, both to instruct us in the course we should take, and excite us to pursue it. I am one, should each Christian say, of a chosen generation. Multitudes are without God in the world. I am selected from that multitude to "know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent."3 Light has thus come unto me. May it be for salvation, and not for my greater condemnation! I am one of a royal priesthood. Am I then living as one set apart to God's service, and consecrated by his Spirit, that I may offer to him those "spiritual sacrifices" with which he is well pleased? I am one of a holy nation. Does my character agree with my vocation? And am I following after holiness, as "He who hath called me is holy?" I am one of a peculiar people. Can God esteem me as such, and acknowledge me as his, "in that day when he makes up his jewels?" +

Such thoughts should stimulate the Christian, that his conduct may correspond with the honourable title which he bears. In vain is he called one of God's people, if he walks as "the children of this world:" in vain has he obtained mercy, unless he says unto Him who has shown him mercy, "Thou art my God."

3 See John iii. 19; and xv. 22.

4 Mal. iii 17.